Well I just finished talking to an authorized Martin repairman who works with the store where I bought my guitar.

He gave two options, buy some pickguard material and have him cut and install it - probably around $35 US dollars, a hundred mile trip to his city, and several days in the shop.

Or, buy some clear plastic mylar self-adhesive "cartographic" paper and do it myself. About 80 cents for an 8 X 11" sheet. When I asked if this would devalue the Martin down the road, he replied "It'll devalue it a lot more with a hole dug out by the pick!" He also indicated that the thin plastic sheet would affect the tone less than an oversized pickguard. And he also indicated that the mylar could be replaced every so often as needed.

Nina - I tried calling the Collings number, but no response ?

So I'm going to pursue the 2nd option. First I'll get a really sharp exacto knife and etch some lines on the guitar where I want the plastic and then.... nope only kidding !!!!